LAWRENCE, Kan. — There may be no more polarizing star in the history of Kansas basketball than Tyshawn Taylor.

The senior guard from Hoboken, N.J., has spent four years putting fans, teammates and coaches through every high and low imaginable. There were lousy shots, clutch performances, a couple of suspensions and more than one questionable tweet.

He was at his finest on Sunday night, when Kansas needed him most.

Taylor scored 22 points against mighty North Carolina in the regional finals in St. Louis, ushering his team to the Final Four for the first time since Kansas won it all in 2008.

Jayhawks coach Bill Self acknowledged that Taylor has put him through enough trouble during his time in Lawrence. But he was quick to add, "I really like this kid."

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor celebrates as he goes up on the ladder to cut the net after Kansas defeated North Carolina 80-67 in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Midwest Regional final Sunday, March 25, 2012, in St. Louis. (Charlie Riedel, Associated Press)